Neck dissection prior to radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of tongue base.

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base can be treated with comparable control and survival rates when neck dissection (ND) is performed before radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

Fourteen patients were treated between 1990 and 2000. Tumor stage on presentation was: T2, 6; T3, 4; T4, 4. Average radiation dose was 7,268 cGy. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 11 years (median, 50 months). Ten patients (71.4%) who presented with cervical metastases underwent neck dissection. All neck dissections were performed prior to RT.

RESULTS

The initial local control rate was 85.7%. The 10-year survival rate was 62.8%. Patients tolerated their procedure well and were ready for RT within 2 to 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary data indicate that our treatment protocol results in control and survival rates which are comparable with other regimens. It is our impression that in contrast to patients undergoing ND after radiation, our patients tolerated their initial ND well and were better prepared for the second part of the treatment. Future studies will use quality-of-life research methods to study this aspect of the treatment protocol.